Molecular protonic electrolytes for mid temperature electrolysers

Advanced electrolyzers are a promising platform for the so-called Power to Molecules approach, in which electric current is employed to transform molecules on demand. This transformation addresses two of the most pressing challenges facing humankind: renewable hydrogen production and CO2 conversion. 

The most mature electrolysers typically operate with liquids under moderate temperatures. Nowadays increasing efforts are focused on developing more efficient steam/gas electrolyzers to be operative in the mid temperature (MT; 150-300 oC) range. Operations at this MT range can take advantage of wasted industrial heat and might prevent the fast materials degradation observed for high temperature technologies. However, this alternative MT technology requires the identification and optimization of novel performant protonic electrolytes (PE), since dehydration excludes the use of sulfonic water-containing ones employed liquid electrolysers.

A set of promising candidates for building PE are thermally stable imidazolic compounds, an alternative concept for anhydrous protonic conduction. These molecular electrolytes bear abundant and partially protonated neighbour nitrogen sites, providing effective paths for intra and intermolecular protonic transference.  

This proposal aims to implement this concept in the field of MT electrolytes in two main directions. Firstly, through the achievement of molecular PE with a proper conductivity in a wide range of temperatures and relevant relative humidities. Secondly, by processing these PE as thin and mechanically stable membranes, offering a low gas/ permeation and a suitable area resistance. Ideally, they might offer reliable integration paths with the electrodes ranging from traditional porous metallic structures to electrolyte-loaded ones.

In this project, you will design, develop and characterize new molecular protonic electrolytes based on imidazolic molecular structures. These advanced electrolytes will be tailored to fulfil the specific requirements of steam electrolysis, including tolerance to thermal cycling and relative humidity dependent stability. You will explore and rationalize the inherent conductivity and stability of the electrolyte under realistic operation conditions.
 

Type of Project: Master internship; Internship

Master's degree: Master of Engineering Technology; Master of Engineering Science

Master program: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Duration: 5 months

Supervisor: Philippe Vereecken (Bioscience, Nano)

For more information or application, please contact the supervising scientists Philippe Vereecken (philippe.vereecken@imec.be), Matias Jobbagy (matias.jobbagy@imec.be) and Valentin Smeets (valentin.smeets@imec.be).